Overwhelming opposition to Britain's joining a single European currency, and to any further European integration, has been shown by a survey of local residents, claims Maldon and East Chelmsford Conservative MP, John Whittingdale.

Mr Whittingdale said the survey, contained in his Westminster Report, was returned by more than 500 constituents and showed their attitudes towards a number of issues.

Mr Whittingdale said: "Every opinion poll shows that there is overwhelming opposition to Britain joining a single European currency and to any further European integration. This is confirmed in my survey, which shows that over 90 per cent of local people want to keep the pound and to have taxes set by Parliament in Westminster rather than in Brussels.

"This is one of the most important issues facing the country today and will be a critical issue at the next election when the Conservative Party will be the only major party fighting on a policy of keeping the pound."

The survey also showed "enormous" dissatisfaction with the fact that, although Scottish and Welsh MPs can vote on matters affecting England, English MPs have no say over the same issues in Scotland and Wales, said Mr Whittingdale.

He added that 88.5 per cent of those surveyed think that Scottish MPs should not be allowed to vote on English matters in the House of Commons and support the Conservative policy of English votes for English laws.

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